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Christmas Appeal: $38,500 raised for Salvation Army

By Abigail Hartevelt

11:30 AM Monday Dec 24, 2012

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Thank you Rotorua.

You have donated more than $38,500 worth of food and cash to The Daily Post Christmas Appeal 2012 for the Salvation Army foodbank. It's the largest annual amount raised during an appeal in the past five years.

The response to this year's appeal has been phenomenal, with people still making donations to the appeal even after The Daily Post office closed on Friday afternoon.

Captain Brian Martin of Rotorua's Salvation Army is thrilled with the amount raised.

"The whole community has come to the party. Words can't express the thanks that we at the Salvation Army have for our community. This will assist us well into the new year. It is going to last us a long time.'' Mr Martin said.

"A big thank you to all the people who have given. It has been a blessing to us and we will be able to be a blessing [to others] through what we will be able to give them.''

Mr Martin said he wanted to thank all those who volunteered their time during the appeal, particularly those at the can drives in Springfield, Glenholme and Ngongotaha, and to the members of the Salvation Army church who have helped pack the Christmas hampers for the more than 120 families who will receive them today.

Mr Martin also wanted to thank The Daily Post and its staff for running the appeal and keeping it in the forefront of people's minds.

He said the foodbank was full and said the amount of food and cash collected may well see the foodbank through until the middle of next year.

Captain Amanda Martin said the proceeds from the appeal would not only fill the Christmas hampers, which were worth $150 each, but would also help struggling families into the new year.

Families they helped will be able to have a week off purchasing food and use that money to pay for other items like power bills or school uniforms. "It will make a huge difference.''

The Daily Post editor Kim Gillespie said it was great to see such a generous response once again from the community, despite tough times.

"I can't say it was a surprise to see the result, because Rotorua has always given generously to our Christmas Appeal. But to continually give more to help others in need shows great community spirit.''